Jones inks with Winterhawks

Seth Jones will have a new home next season with the Portland Winterhawks.

The highly coveted defenseman eligible for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft will suit up for the Winterhawks next season, signing a contract with the Western Hockey League club Saturday.

Portland, who acquired Jones from the Everett Silvertips April 23rd, is expected to make an announcement Tuesday.

“I’m very excited about it because I was able to get comfortable with the coaching staff and the facilities,” Jones told Jeff Spiegel of the Portland Tribune. “The pro schedule was big for me, and this was just a gut feeling I have.”

Jones was debating between signing with the Winterhawks and the University of North Dakota.

He was the captain of the U.S. Under-18 team that captured gold at the World U18 Championship last month in the Czech Republic.